Orlando Bloom deported from Delhi, returns later thanks to Swaraj

A rejected e-visa landed Hollywood actor Orlando Bloom in trouble in India. He was deported to the UK from Delhi in the middle of the night on Saturday because his e-visa had been rejected. However, he returned to Delhi after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj intervened in the matter.

As per a report in The Indian Express, Bloom was supposed to be a state guest of the Uttar Pradesh government, and he was expected to visit the Taj Mahal during his stay in India as well, but his e-visa application was rejected by the Indian authorities. Bloom, who arrived in India at 1:30 in the night, had to leave the country around 4 AM. Later, Sushma Swaraj took notice of the matter and the actor was issued a fresh visa which made his stay in India possible.

Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, was quoted by Mumbai Mirror as saying, “When one applies for an electronic visa, one receives a mail saying whether the visa has been issued or rejected. I think he must have landed without the confirmation email or forgotten to check whether the visa has been granted or not. It takes a minimum of 72 hours and a maximum of four days for the visa to be processed, at the end of which, your visa is accepted or rejected.”

Bloom is the chief attraction of Indian filmmaker Sheetal Talvar’s Romans, and he is expected to meet some Bollywood heavyweights as part of a campaign.